Evaluation of patient support program and adherence to long-acting injectable aripiprazole for patients utilizing injection local care centers

Abstract

Objective: Patient support programs, such as the ASSURE Program for long-acting injectable aripiprazole, are designed to help support access to medications, including long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotics for patients with schizophrenia. This study was conducted to evaluate adherence to long-acting injectable aripiprazole among patients utilizing the program local care centers (LCC). Methods: Data collected from participating LCC between October 2014 and February 2018 were utilized. Characteristics of patients receiving injections at LCC and participating in additional support services of the program, types of program offering utilized and patient cost share for long-acting injectable aripiprazole were described. Adherence, measured as the proportion of days covered (PDC) during follow-up, was estimated in patients utilizing the LCC for 6 months and 9 months. Patients with PDC 80% were considered adherent to treatment. Results: Two hundred and thirty-four patients received at least one injection at participating LCC and enrolled in the patient support program. Mean (SD) age was 37.3 (13.5) years; 60.7% were male; 32.5% were covered by Medicare. In total, 157 and 87 patients were actively utilizing the LCC for at least 6 months and 9 months, respectively. PDC of 97% and 98% were reported among patients with 6 months and 9 months of follow-up, respectively, and patients were considered adherent to long-acting injectable aripiprazole during follow-up. Conclusion: Patients utilizing the LCC demonstrated high medication adherence, suggesting that injection services provided by the centers may reduce barriers to treatment and help patients with schizophrenia remain on LAI antipsychotic treatment. ARTICLE HISTORY

Ingestible Sensors and Medication Adherence: Focus on Use in Serious Mental Illness

“…Antipsychotics are a vital part of treatment for individuals with schizophrenia [11]. The first long-acting antipsychotics (LAIs) were developed in the 1960s to enhance adherence [12].…”

“…LAIs aim to decrease relapse, exacerbation of symptoms, and hospitalizations through improved adherence [13]. LAIs tend to have improved adherence profiles compared with oral antipsychotics [11]. Non-adherence estimates for LAIs vary from 9 to 52% [11].…”

“…LAIs tend to have improved adherence profiles compared with oral antipsychotics [11]. Non-adherence estimates for LAIs vary from 9 to 52% [11]. Currently, there are two first-generation (haloperidol, fluphenazine) and four second-generation antipsychotics (aripiprazole, olanzapine, paliperadone, risperidone) available as various commercially approved LAIs [12,14,15].…”

Impact of a pharmacist‐administered long‐acting injectable antipsychotic service in a supermarket‐based community pharmacy on medication adherence

“…Among patients enrolled for a period of more than 6 months, patients who received injection center support were more likely to remain in the program and achieve higher adherence rates. Another manufacturer program, the ASSURE Program by Otsuka, was launched in 2014 . The ASSURE Program provides support for patients taking long‐acting injectable aripiprazole (Abilify Maintena, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd., Tokyo, Japan).…”

“…Another manufacturer program, the ASSURE Program by Otsuka, was launched in 2014. 9 The ASSURE Program provides support for patients taking long-acting injectable aripiprazole (Abilify Maintena, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd., Tokyo, Japan). This program focuses on core services to assist in continuity of care, such as access support, local care centers (LCCs), nurse support, and patient education.…”